A total of 226 congressmen voted for the extension, while 23 were against it.

A majority vote of the two chambers voting jointly, or at least 158 of the 314 members of Congress,was needed to pass the motion.

Martial law in Mindanao was supposed to end on December 31, 2017. This was based on the first extension requested by the President when the initial declaration lapsed on July 23. Congress then extended it to July 22 to December 31. Martial rule was implemented in response to the terrorist attack in Marawi City. The siege lasted for five months.

On December 10, Duterte submitted a letter of request for another extension. He said martial law is needed to respond to attacks by local and foreign terrorist groups, as well as the "intensified" rebellion of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the communist organization which has waged a 48-year-old insurgency.

Palace: Military rule to quell 'continuing rebellion'

Malacañang now asked for public support after Congress's decision.

"Public safety is our primordial concern; thus, we ask the public to stand behind the administration and rally behind our defenders to quell the continuing rebellion in Mindanao," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement shortly after Congress' vote Wednesday afternoon.

Roque said government forces will continue to work towards eradicating terrorist groups and lawless elements in Mindanao, including their "coddlers, supporters and financiers."

Military rule would also ensure the "unhampered rehabilitation" of war-torn Marawi City, Roque said.

Actual rebellion vs. threat

But the war in Marawi – which was the reason for initially declaring martial law – is over, opposing lawmakers argued on Wednesday.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who has constantly rallied against martial law in Mindanao, said another extension would be unconstitutional, now that there is no "actual rebellion or public uprising" anywhere in the country.

"There are only threats at this point," said Drilon, the first of over 20 lawmakers who questioned Cabinet and security officials.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra defended Duterte's request, saying it was "not based on an assessment of an existing threat, but on the basis of a continuing actual rebellion."

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana explained that despite the defeat of the Maute group in Marawi, rebellion in other areas of Mindanao has not stopped.

"The other ISIS-inspired groups in Mindanao are also active like the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) in Central Mindanao and also in some other parts of the BaSulTa (Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi) islands," Lorenzana said. "The reports now is that they are actively recruiting again."

Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario earlier revealed intelligence reports that the remaining members of the Maute group are conducting "massive recruitment," offering as high as P100, 000 to each recruit.

Still, minority lawmakers said martial law should be a last resort.

Pangilinan called it an "extreme measure," while Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said it should always be "a last option."